Post on 09-Mar-2016
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WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER
An acronym for African Bitumen Emulsions, a.b.e. Construction Chemicals was founded in 1932 but started operations in 1939 in Durban as a supplier of bitumen to municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Over the years this company has grown in both size and diversity to become a major supplier of specialised construction products to the building, civil engineering and building maintenance industries, supplying products directly to customers through its branch network as well as through builders’ merchants and hardware stores.
Strongest FOUNDATIONS
the bitumen produced is used as
the binder in asphalt for roads. It
is also used in other paved areas
such as airport runways, car
parks and footways.
Typically, the production of
asphalt involves mixing sand,
gravel and crushed rock with
bitumen, which acts as the
binding agent. Other materials,
such as polymers, may be
added to the bitumen to alter
its properties according to the
application for which the asphalt
is ultimately intended.
A further 10% of global
bitumen production is used
in roofing applications, where
its waterproofing qualities are
invaluable.
The remaining 5% of bitumen
is used mainly for sealing and
insulating purposes in a variety
of building materials, such as
pipe coatings, carpet tile backing
and paint.
ABE CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
This network has ensured a wide net to capture and meet the needs for their clients with manufacturing plants in Boksburg, Johannesburg and Isipingo and Durban they have grown organically, never over-spreading and always ensuring that they were ready and able to support their clients. With Business Development Director Luis Ferreira behind many of the company’s newest expansions and product developments this company has made a name for strengthening their clients.
Supported by a network of branches and distributors
throughout South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian
Ocean Islands and Pakistan a.b.e. is ideally positioned
to service its customers with a range of categories that include
waterproofing, flooring and special adhesives through to silicone and
sealants, concrete repair and general construction products.
Acquired by CHRYSO Southern Africa in September 2010 it was
the successful integration and strong co-operation of all departments
and divisions across the brand that has enhanced the group’s product
offering.
BitumenBitumen is an oil based substance, semi-solid hydrocarbon
product produced by removing the lighter fractions (such as liquid
petroleum gas, petrol and diesel) from heavy crude oil during the
refining process. As such, it is correctly known as refined bitumen. In
North America, bitumen is commonly known as “asphalt cement” or
“asphalt”. While elsewhere, “asphalt” is the term used for a mixture of
small stones, sand, filler and bitumen, which is used as a road paving
material. The asphalt mixture contains approximately 5% bitumen. At
ambient temperatures bitumen is a stable, semi-solid substance.
The vast majority of refined bitumen is used in construction:
primarily as a constituent of products used in paving and roofing
applications. According to the requirements of the end use bitumen is
produced to specification. This is achieved either by refining process
or blending.
It is estimated that the current world usage of bitumen is
approximately 102 million tonnes per year. Approximately 85% of all
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Rheem SA is proud to be associated with ABE. Congratulations on the milestones achieved thus far.
Common MisunderstandingsPetroleum bitumen is often confused with tar. Although bitumen
and coal tar are similarly black and sticky, they are distinctly different
substances in origin, chemical composition and in their properties.
Coal tar is produced by heating coal to extremely high temperatures
and is a by-product of gas and coke production. It was widely used as
the binding agent in road asphalt in the early part of the last century,
but has since been replaced by refined bitumen.
Bitumen is also sometimes confused with petroleum pitch which,
although also derived from crude oil, is a substance produced by a
different process from that used for refined bitumen. Petroleum
pitches are the residues from the extreme heat treatment or “cracking”
of petroleum fractions. Their properties and chemical composition
are therefore quite different from those of bitumen.
Naturally-occurring bitumen, sometimes also called natural
asphalt, rock asphalt, lake asphalt or oil sand, has been used as an
adhesive, sealant and waterproofing agent for over 8,000 years. But
it occurs only in small quantities and its properties are quite different
from refined bitumen.
Chryso SAChryso SA has established itself as a major supplier of concrete
and cement admixtures in South Africa thanks to its investment
in plant infrastructure, new technologies as well as technical and
customer support. The acquisition of a.b.e by CHRYSO provided a.b.e.
with the new technologies and ongoing research and development
programs to further enhance its position in the market and add value
to their customers.
If a.b.e. are known for anything it is their focus to its sustainability
policy, adopted from the CHRYSO group, to sustain the seven values
across economic, environmental and social commitments and one of
the ongoing merits to a.b.e is the continual investment on improving
its structures as well as upgrading production facilities. Strengthening
its research and development programmes while using existing
channels in the market to introduce new products has proven to be
the best way to further enhance its current product range and service
offered to customers.
There is a vision guiding a.b.e Construction Chemicals, a simple
one but one that directs every decision made and guides every
employee on a day to day basis, grounding decisions and giving flight
to new ideas. This is to be the supplier of cost effective, innovative
manufactured products, and the preferred distributor for leading
brand owners to a.b.e’s chosen market segments.
Approximately 50% of products sold are produced locally in
Durban and Boksburg with the remaining 50% being sourced both
locally and from Europe as finished goods. The main segments that
a.b.e. work in are as follows:
The export division provides specialised services and support
to local and overseas markets. The export customer base consists
of licensee’s, distributors, local export houses and an established
customer base mainly in sub Saharan African, with further
representatives in Bostwana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana,
Kenya and Tanzania.
Construction Sales consists of general contractors ranging from
large construction companies to the small house builder, as well as
specifiers, developers, facility managers and various engineers.
Retail customer base comprises of hardware and building supply
outlets ranging from the large groups with a national footprint to the
small corner hardware store. Agricultural co-ops are also important
customers, along with several agents and distributors who operate in
defined markets.
Over the years a.b.e has acquired technology through its own
development, strategic acquisitions of businesses and by forming
alliances with international manufacturers of specialized products.
Today a.b.e is a leader in its field with many well respected brands,
representing a number of quality international manufacturers and
looking to the future with a comprehensive laboratory for testing of
products in both of its factories.
The resellers’ customer base
comprises hardware and building
supply outlets ranging from the
large groups to the small corner
hardware store, these with
the agricultural co-ops, as well
as the marine, refurbishment
and garden sectors create the
fundamental customer basis.
Operating out of the Durban
Branch, the export division
provides specialised services
and support to its overseas
markets. Currently a.b.e. has
representation in Botswana,
Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi,
Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola
and Zambia. Also, in addition,
a.b.e. has license agreements
with partners in Mauritius who
produce and distribute a.b.e.
products into these and the
surrounding territories.
ABE CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
Endeavour Magazine | 61
ABE CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
0027 11 306 9000
WWW.ABE.CO.ZA
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